The re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States has sent shockwaves across the global climate community. Within days of assuming office, Trump has issued executive orders reversing environmental regulations, including the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. Climate experts warn that this move, coupled with the rapid rise of Trumpism, could have disastrous consequences for the planet.
According to Harjeet Singh, a global climate activist and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, “This is a massive setback for global climate action. The second term of Trump is set to be far worse than the first, with a more organized and determined push for fossil fuels.”
Trump’s Climate Policies: A Systematic Attack on Progress
During his first presidency, Trump’s climate policies were often marked by ad-hoc decisions, sporadic environmental rollbacks, and an overall dismissal of climate science. This time, however, Singh warns that Trump’s administration is far more prepared and structured, making the fight against climate change much more difficult. The new government is reportedly considering declaring an energy emergency, allowing the administration to fast-track fossil fuel infrastructure without environmental assessments.
Dismantling Renewable Energy in the US
- One of the key areas expected to take a hit is renewable energy. Singh predicts that Trump’s administration will:
- Cut financial support for wind and solar industries.
- Block new wind farm projects, citing environmental concerns over landscape degradation.
- Rollback Biden-era environmental protections, allowing increased emissions from industries.
Under Biden, the US had made significant strides in clean energy, including subsidies for electric vehicles and incentives for solar and wind energy development. Trump’s new policies threaten to reverse these advancements, making it difficult for the country to transition away from fossil fuels.
Paris Agreement Withdrawal: A Financial Crisis for Climate Action
One of Trump’s most alarming decisions is the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement, the world’s most crucial international treaty aimed at reducing global emissions. Singh explains that this move will create a massive financial gap, as the US was one of the largest contributors to international climate funds.
Developing and vulnerable nations that rely on climate financing for sustainable development will suffer the most.
India and other large economies will also feel the impact, as they depend on technological cooperation and funding to transition to green energy.
The US will likely push back against international efforts to implement stricter climate policies, delaying global progress.
While the actual withdrawal will take time due to bureaucratic processes, the mere announcement has already sent ripples through international climate negotiations. The US is expected to remain within the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) but obstruct climate agreements in future negotiations.
Beyond Trump’s personal stance, Singh highlights the growing influence of Trumpism, a political ideology that promotes nationalist, fossil fuel-driven economic policies over global cooperation. “Trump’s first term was seen as an accident. This time, his return is deliberate, and his policies are now shaping the future of America’s developmental roadmap,” Singh warns.
Health and Environmental Risks: WHO Exit and Climate Crisis
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) will also have climate consequences. The WHO has recently begun linking climate change to public health crises, emphasizing that pollution and extreme weather events increase health risks.
- Rising temperatures are leading to heat-related illnesses and deaths.
- Pollution from increased fossil fuel burning will worsen respiratory diseases.
- Climate-related disasters such as hurricanes and floods will have direct health impacts on vulnerable communities.
By withdrawing from the WHO, the US will likely halt progress on health policies that integrate climate science, creating a global ripple effect that could slow down coordinated responses to climate-linked health crises.
Resistance from US States, Businesses, and Green Industries
Despite the grim outlook, Singh remains hopeful that sub-national efforts within the US will help counteract Trump’s climate rollback. During his first term, several US states, cities, and corporations continued their climate commitments, even as Trump withdrew from global agreements.
- California and New York have already signaled that they will continue investing in renewable energy.
- Large corporations, including Tesla and Microsoft, are expected to resist the fossil fuel expansion policies.
- Investment in green jobs has been a major economic driver, and industries reliant on clean energy will likely push back against policy reversals.
However, Singh warns that the financial sector’s hesitation to invest in renewables under Trump’s administration could slow down growth, making it harder for these efforts to succeed.